Trump warns that Hurricane Florence will be 'tremendously big and tremendously wet'

As the East Coast prepares for Hurricane Florence to bear down, President Trump is warning that people in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia should "be prepared, be careful, and be safe."

The Category 4 storm is sure to be "tremendously big and tremendously wet," he told reporters Tuesday, adding that "tremendous amounts of water" would hit the region. Trump said the federal government is "ready" for the hurricane, adding that emergency funding may be appropriated. "Congress will be generous, because we have no choice," he said.

The states that will likely be affected "will be in great shape," Trump continued, noting that "unlike Puerto Rico," eastern states have strong power grids that can withstand more damage. Speaking of Puerto Rico, Trump reflected on what he learned from last year's devastating Hurricane Maria, which killed nearly 3,000 people.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"I think Puerto Rico was incredibly successful," Trump said of the federal government's response to the storm. "I actually think it was one of the best jobs that's ever been done." He called the recovery effort an "incredible unsung success," and said the administration had gotten "a lot of thanks" for its handling of the disaster. Watch his full comments below, via MSNBC. Summer Meza